I think Ben was a good prospect at the time the Polecats signed him (heralded by some Wakey fans as a international certainty) but he just went to the wrong club and wrong coach. How many of their academy winning side of 2009 are actually playing first grade now ?

Seems to have something in common with Liam Watts - another ex Cas youngster who was touted as a real 'one that got away' but doesn't seem to have made much of an impact this year.

Add Ryan Boyle to that list too..

I think most Wakey fans would agree that he hasn't kicked on like we expected, and he still seems too trim. What I was impressed with was at Warrington a few weeks ago, in the pre-match warm-ups, he was the one doing all the shouting and bawling and geeing everyone up. I know pre-match shouting doesn't win you anything, but I was just impressed by his attitude and willingness to try and lead despite the lack of experience.

No questioning his heart and attitude but after a storming first team debut, he just hasn't fulfilled his potential.

Could be a coaching/conditioning issue - Mr Kear certainly has a blind spot when it comes to bringing youngsters into the first team - or it could be that he's just not as good as we (or you) hoped.

Either way, good luck to him at Salford.